Takedown firearm



TAKE-DOWN FIREARM -Fi1ed Jan.' 21, 1943 s sheets-sheets Patented Mar. 28, 1944 murga STATES RATENT. OFFICE TAKEnolWN David M. Williams, New Haven,-Conn'.','assignor to Western Cartridge Company, New =Haven, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Appscation Januay 21, 1s43f, ser ia1N0..473,111

(Cl: Li.2'l5) 11 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in takedown firearms, that is to say, firearms .of the type in which the barrel, together Withthe parts organized therewith, is readily separable from the stock, for purposes of cleaning, repair, compactness in transportation, etc.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a superior takedown rearm construction comprising a stock-unit and a barrelunit which are demountably secured together with capacity for ready separationall ina.

manner which is simple, reliable and elective.

Another object of the present invention provides a rearm-structure of the character .referred to in which the stock-unit and the barrelum't are coupled together by superior means which will automatically compensate for slight variations in the dimensions of the two units with reference to a nominal standard I A further object is to provide a takedown rel- Fig, 5 is a transverse sectional view of the barrelunitand taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is ya. broken top or plan view of the central portion of fthe stock-unit;

.. Fig. 7 is aV longitudinal sectional view taken on yFig. 8 is an underside View of the receiver together with. aportion of the barrel; f jvFig. 9 'is a' top or plan View of the triggerplate; y

Fig. 10 is a' view thereof in side elevation; Fig. 11`is a perspective view of the tensioning- ,xture; Fig. 1`2 is ya perspective kview of the head-plate; and?. M Figflgis a perspective view of the tensioningl yscrew or member.

arm-structure in which superior means is provided for releasably holding the stock-unit and the barrel-unit together, and which means will function over long periods of use to maintain the two said units in tight and rm engagement despite appreciable Wear of the contacting parts.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide superior means whereby a stockunt and a barrel-unit of a firearm-structure may be releasably coupled together in such manner that vibration between the two said yunits iskept at a minimum When the rearm is'assembled and in use.

With the above and other objects in view,'as will appear to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure, this invention includes fall.

features in the said disclosure whichare novel over the prior art and which are not claimedin any separate application. f

in the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

Fig. 1 is a View in side elevation of one form of takedown rearm embodying the present-in'- vention;

Fig. 2 is a broken view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical central-longitudinal section of the portion of the rearm-structureadjacent the rear portion of the barrel-unit;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view'taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2,'

Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig.`2 but showing the barrel-unit in a tilted position with respect to the stock-unit preparatory to the lnterloeking of the two said units;

The particular takedown rearm herein chosen for purposes of illustrating the present invention includes@ Stock-unit generally designated 'by' the reference character I5, and a barrel-unit generally `designated by the reference character II6.` 4 v The stock-unit I5 includes a buttstock-portion .I1 andan lintegral forestock-portion I8. At about'the junction point of its buttstock-porton :Il and iforestock-portion I8, the stock-unit I5 is formedwith afvertical-longitudinal passage I9 extending therethrough from top to bottom and designed and adapted for the reception of por- .tions of theflrearm in a manner as will be here- .inaftendescribed Leading forwardly from the vertical-longitudinal passage I9 just referred to. `is va'deep upwardly-opening longitudinal groove .2 0 located mainly in the upper portion of the forestocli-portion I8.

vLeading rearwardly from the upper rear-poropening lrecess 22 communicating at its forward hend-with the rearend of the vertical passage I9, -as isespecia-lly well shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 7. "Ihe lower portion of the rear wall of the vertical passage I9'is formed' with a'notch 23'Which latterin turn, hasjleadng rearwardly from it a 'transverse anchoring-'groove 24. Extending ver- 'fticallykbetweenthe'shallow recess 22 and the notch 23 in the portion of the stock-unit I5 fimmedately' tothe rear of the passage I9 there- Qin, is a vertical passage 25.'. 4'Io the rear of the so passage 25.f'just referred to,`tlie stock-unit I5 is modated in the relatively-shallow upwardly-. r

opening recess 22 in the stock-unit I5, while the sleeve 29 of the said xture snugly fits' iritotle vertical passage 25 in the saidstock-unit.r @he upper face o-f the plate-like head 28 ofthe 11x-s ture 21 is preferably transversely curved to'sv'blstantially conform to the transverse lcurvature of the longitudinal groove `2I `in the'stckunlt I5 to the rear of the large vertical passage I! therein. The forward portion of the upper face of the need 2a of the fixture 21 preferably slopes rearwardly and upwardly to provide 'alcaline-'suriface 30, as shown. To the rear of the sleeve 29, the plate-like head 28 of 'the' fixture 21 is provided with a transverse clearance-groove '3| for purposes as will hereinafter appear. The lower portion of the sleeve 29 of the x.- ture 21 is internally threaded and has screwed thereinto the relatively-large-diametered bodyportion 32 of a relatively-long tensioning-screw or -member generally designated bythe 'reference character 33. Formed integral with vand upwardly extending from the body-portion '32 just referred to is a `tension-pin 34 materially smaller than the axial bore in the sleeve 25 of the tensioning-fixture 21 and extending u Vupwardly beyond the upper surface of the head 23 of the said tensioning-fixture. *y Located in the notch zsjformed m the 'gstoo'lrunit I5 adjacent the lower rear-prtionvof large vertical passage I9 therein, is a 'headt- 35 having a rearwardly-projecting anchoring'- tongue 35 fitting into the anchoring-grodve l24 in the stock-unit I5. In its upper face, the-headplate 35 is formed with an upwardly-opening recess 31 receiving the-lower end of the sleeve 29 of the tensioning-fixture 21, asis shown especially well in Figs. 2 and 4. on its loweif`or ward portion, the head-plate as lsfomie'd with a rearwardly-and-downwardly-sloping cam-sufiface 3B. The body-portion 32 of the tensioningscrew 33 before referred to extends upwardly through the head-plate 35'which issuitably'- cessed in its lower portion for-the accommodation of the head of the said screw. thus con'- structed and arranged, the screw "33 serves `to couple the head-plate 35 to the sleeve '29 of the tensioning-fixture 21.

Returning now to the barrel-unit. I6, the same for purposes of description may be-.considered as lcomprising a barrel 39, areceiver 4,0 and 'a trigger-plate 4I. In a manner usual in firearms, the barrel 39 is rigidly coupled to and projects forwardly from the forward portionl of thereceiver 4I), while the trigger-plate is Vlocated below the receiver 40 andY is coupled theretogin any suitable manner such, for instance, as vthe manner presently to be described. A r

'The receiver 40 is accommdatedmaily in the upper portion of the large vertical passage le in the stock-unit l5, though its' rear-portion is accommodated in the longitudinal groove' 2 I 'in the said buttstcck-portion I1, andthe forward end of the said receiver isaccom'modat'dpatially in the longitudinal groove '20 in thevend of the receiver 40.

"engaged stock-portion I8. The barrel 39 ts into the longitudinal groove 20 just referred to and for a portion of its length is covered by the barrelcover 42 (Fig. 1) which, like the stock-unit I5, is preferably formed of wood or other suitable heat-insulating and shock-absorbing material.

As is shown especially well in Figs. 4, 5 and 8, the receiver 40 is formed in its under-portion, adjacent its forward end, with a vertical magazine-receiving passage 43 and adjacent its rear end with a vertical clearance-passage 44. The

a'gaz'ine-receiving passage 43 and the clearance-passage 44 .just referred to, are partially divided from each other by an integral web 45 Y'extending transversely of the receiver about midway the length thereof and integrally uniting the respective opposite side-walls thereof. yThe forward lower formed with a central-longitudinal downwardlyopening groove 46 communicating at its rear with the magazine-receiving passage 43 and intersecting' the extreme forward end of the receiv'er 40. Spaced slightly below the web 45 of the vreceiver 40, the said receiver is formed with two longitudinal inwardly-projecting couplingribs `41---41, one of which projects inwardly from each of the respective opposite side-walls of the said receiver, as is especially well shown in Fig. 5.

Resting respectively upon the coupling-ribs 41--41 'of the receiver 4B is one of two corresponding longitudinal coupling-ribs 48-48 respectively laterally offsetting in opposite directions from the respective side-faces of a lug-like extension 49 upstanding from the trigger-plate :4I substantially midway the length thereof.

At its forward upper portion, the trigger-plate `4I is formed with an upwardly-projecting stabilizing-lug 50 which normally ts within the longitudinal groove 46 in the lower forward portion of the receiver 40. Intermediate its coupling-ribs 48-48 and its stabilizing-lug 50, the 4'trigger-plate 4I is also formed with a magazinereceiving passage 5I registering with and leading downwardly from the magazine-receiving passage 43 in the receiver 40.

As thus coupled to the receiver 40, the triggerplate 4I is hung so to speak, about midway of its length by the engagement of its couplingribs 48--48 with the upper surfaces of the respective coupling-ribs 41-41 of the receiver 40. Thus, any downward strain imposed upon the rear end of the trigger-plate 4I will tend to cause the said trigger-plate to rock longitudinally about its coupling-ribs 48-48 as a center, and

thereby urge the forward end of the trigger-plate upwardly.

Such movement, however, is prevented by the engagement of Athe upper surface of the stabilizing-lug 50 of the trigger-plate with the top surface of the groove 46 in the forward The distance from the coupling-ribs 41-41 to the lower rear end of vthetrigger-plate 4I will permit the rear end of thetrigger-plate to yield downwardly relative to the receiver 40, for purposes as will hereinafter appear.

The lower rear portion of the receiver 40 which normally overlles the plate-like head 2a of the tensioning-fixture 21 in the stock-unit l5, is formed with a socket 52 receiving the upper Normally, the rear wall of the socket 52 just referred to acts as a forwardly-facing coupling-abutment which is with'uthe rear face of the tension-pin 34, as isvesp'ecially well shown in Fig. 2.

As an additional lprecaution against the frportion of the receiver 4D is e ward displacement of the fixture 21, the plate'- like head 28 thereof is formed with a hole 53 receiving the upper end of a stud 54, the lower portion of which latter has a. drive fit in the socket 26 in the stock-unit I5.

The barrel-unit I6 may include any suitable' breach-bolt, firing-mechanism, trigger, etc., which parts, however, do not per se form essential features of the present invention, and therefore require no description herein.

For purposes of transmitting the shock of discharge from the barrel-unit I6 to the stock-unit I5, the said stock-unit is formed on each of the respective opposite sides of its relatively-large vertical passage I9 with one of two forwardlyfacing recoil-abutments .55-55 extending vertically in the said passage I9. Each of the said abutments 55-55 is normally engaged by one of two vertical rearwardly-facing recoil-abutments 56-56, one of which is formed on each of the respective opposite sides of the trigger-plate 4I about midway the length thereof.

In separating the barrel-unit I6 from the stockunit l5, the said barrel-unit is tilted upwardly into substantially the position in which it is shown by broken lines in Fig. 1 and by full lines in Fig. 4, after the barrel-cover 42 and associated bands or the like have been rst removed. During the operation just referred to, the lower rear corner of the receiver lil will fulcrum in the clearance-groove 3| in the upper face of the tensioning-fixture 21 as the lower rear corner of the trigger-plate 4I swings forwardly and slightly upwardly. When the barrel-unit has been s wung sufficiently, the lower rear corner of the triggerplate 4I will be fully clear of the head-plate 35 in the rear portion of the passage I 9 in the stockunit I5, whereupon the said barrel-unit may be moved directly upwardly to thereby disengage the socket 52 at the rear end of the receiver 40 from the upper end of the tensioning-pin 34.

When it is desired to reassemble the barrelunit I6 with the stock-unit I5, the forward end of the barrel-unit is tilted upwardly with respect to the stock-unit and then lowered so that the trigger-plate and adjacent parts enter the upper end of the vertical passage I9 in the said unit I5 and until the socket 52 in the rear lower portion of the receiver i6 is slipped over the upper end of the tensioning-pin 34. Now by depressing the forward end of the barrel-unit IE, the rear end of the same will fulcrurn in the clearancegroove 3i in the upper face of the tensioningfixture 21 and when the rear lower portion of the trigger-plate 4I engages with the cam-surface 38 of the head-plate 35, a downward strain will be applied on the rear end of the said trigger-plate. As the downward swinging movement of the for- Ward portion of the barrel-unirl I6 is continued, the parts will ultimately reach the positions in which they are particularly well shown in Fig. 2 prior to reaching which position, the vertical recoil-abutments 55-55 on the trigger-plate 4I will have been brought into engagement with the complemental recoil-abutments 55--55 in the passage I9 of the stock-unit I 5, and the lower rear portion of the trigger-plate 4I will have ridden onto the horizontal rear portion of the under face of the head-plate 35. The parts are so proportioned that when the barrel-unit I6 is fully in place in the stock-unit I5, as is shown in Fig. 2, a. vertical stress will exist between the respective rear portions of the receiver 45 and trigger-plate 4| by what amounts to the Wedge-like insertion therebetween of the unit comprising the tensioning-iixture21 and the head-plate 35 thereof. The proportioning of the parts is also such that when the stock-unit and barrel-unitv are in the positions shown in Fig. 2, the upper portion of the tensionel ing-pin 34 will be flexed forwardly as shown in the said figure, thus having the effect of yield# ingly holding the vertical recoil-abutments 55-56 of the barrel-unit I 6 in engagement with the complemental Vertical recoil-abutments 554-55 of the stock-unit I5. y I

Thus, bymeans'of a structure such as that above described and shown in the accompanying drawings, not only is the barrel-unit I6 `or its equivalent securely coupled to a` stock-unit, but suicient tension is f applied vcetween the two units to eifectivelyminimize vibration'ad discomfort to the user. Furthermore, the structure shown and described serves to stabilize the receiver and trigger-plate such as 50 and Ure--A spectively, with respect to each other.

When the shock of recoil occurs, following the' discharge of the rearm, the said shock will'be transferred from the receiver G to the trigger plate unit 4I through the engagement of the web 45 of the said receiver with the lug-like extension 49 of the trigger-plate l.' The trigger-plate, in turn, will transmit the recoil shock to the stock I5 through the intermediary of its two vertical recoil-abutments 56-55, which bear against the forwardly facing vertical recoil l abutments 55-55 in the passage I9 in the stock-unit I5.

The invention may be carried out in other specii'lc ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and al1 changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A takedown firearm comprising: a stockunit formed with a vertical passage and provided with recoil-abutment means; a substantiallyvertical flexible tensioning-member mounted yin the said stock-unit adjacent the said vertical passage therein, one portion of the said ilexible tensioning-member being anchored inthe said stocke unit and another portion thereof being yielding in a direction forwardly of the said stock-unit; and a barrel-unit having recoil-abutment means engaging with the recoil-abutment means of the said stock-unit and tting within the passage in the said-stock-unit, the said barrel-unit having a forwardly-facing coupling-abutment engaging with the forwardly-yielding portion of the said flexible tensioning-member to eX the same-forwardly when the recoil-abutment means of the said barrel-unit is engaged with the recoil-abutment means of the said stock-unit.

2. A talredown firearm comprising: a stockunit formed with a vertical passage and provided with recoil-abutment means; a. substantiallyvertical flexible tensioning-member mounted in the said stock-unit adjacent the said vertical passage therein, the lower -portionof the said flexible tensioning-member being anchored in the said stock-unit and the upper portion of the same being yielding in a direction forwardly of the said stock-unit; and a barrel-unit having recoil-abutment means engaging with the recoilabutment means of the said stock-unit and fitting within the passage in the said stock-unit, the said barrel-unit having in its upper rear portlon a forwardly-facing coupling-abutment engaging with the forwardly-yielding upper portion of the said exible tensioning-member to ex the same forwardly when the recoil-abutment means of the said barrel-unit is engaged with the recoil-abutment means of the said stock-unit,

3. A takedown firearm comprising: a stockunit formed with a vertical passage and provided with recoil-abutment means; a tensioning-fixture unit mounted in the said stock-unit adjacent the rear of the said vertical passage therein; a substantially-vertical flexible tensioning-member having one portion anchored in the said tensioning-fixture unit and having another portion yielding in a direction forwardly of the said stockunit; and a barrel-unit having recoil-abutment means engaging with the recoil-abutment means of the said stock-unit and fitting within the passage in the said stock-unit, the said barrel-unit having a forwardly-facing coupling-abutment engaging with the forwardly-yielding yportion of the said exible tensioning-member to flex the same forwardly when the recoil-abutment means of the said barrel-unit is engaged with the recoilabutment means of the said stock-unit.

4. A takedown rearm comprising: a stockunit formed with a vertical passage and provided with recoil-abutment means; a tensioning-fixture unit mounted in the said stock-unit adjacent the rear of the said vertical passage therein; a substantially-vertical flexible tensioning-member having a lower portion anchored in the said tensioning-fixture unit and having an upper portion yielding in a direction forwardly of the said stock-unit; and a barrel-unit having recoil-abutment means engaging with the recoil-abutment means of the said stock-unit and fitting within the passage in the said stock-unit, the said barrel-unit having in its upper rear portion a forwardly-facing coupling-abutment engaging with theA forwardly-yielding upper portion of the said flexible tensioning-member to flex the same forwardly when the recoil-abutment means of the said barrel-unit is engaged with the recoil-abutment means of the said stock-unit.

5. A takedown firearm comprising: a stockunit formed with a vertical passage and provided with recoil-abutment means; a tensioning-nxture unit lmounted in the said stock-unit adjacent the rear end of the said passage therein and provided with both an upwardly-facing wedging- Asurface and a downwardly-facing wedging-surface for engagement by portion-s of a barrel-unit; a substantially-Vertical iiexible tensioning-member having one portion anchored in the said tensioning-fixture unit and having another portion yielding in a direction forwardly of the said stock-unit; and a barrel-unit having recoil-abutment means engaging with the recoil-abutment means of the said stock-unit and tting within the passage in the latter, the said barrel-unit having Vadjacent its rear end a downwardly-facing portion and an upwardly-'facing portion respectively having wedging engagement with the upwardly-facing wedging-suriace and the downwardly-facing wedging-surface of the said tensioning-fixture unit, the said barrel-unit also having a forwardly-facing coupling-abutment engaging with the forwardly-yielding portion of the said flexible tensioning-member to llex the same forwardly when the recoil-abutment means of the said barrel-unit is engaged with the recoilabutment means of the said stock-unit.

6. A takedown firearm comprising: a stockunit formed with a vertical passage and provided with recoil-abutment means; a tensioning-fixture unit mounted in the said stock-unit adjacent the rear end of the said passage therein and provided with both an upwardly-facing wedgingsurface and a downwardly-facing Wedging-surface for engagement by portions of a barrel-unit; a substantially-vertical flexible tensioning-member having its lower portion anchored in the said tensioning-fixture unit and having its upper portion yielding in a direction forwardly of the said stock-unit; and a barrel-unit having recoilabutment means engaging with the recoil-abutment means of the said stock-unit and tting within the passage within the latter, the said barrel-unit having adjacent its rear end a downwardly-facing portion and an upwardly-facing portion respectively having wedging-engagement with the upwardly-facing wedging-surface and the downwardly-facing wedging-surface of the said tensioning-iixture unit, the said barrel-unit also having a forwardly-facing coupling-abutment located in its upper rear portion and engaging with the forwardly-yielding upper portion of the said flexible tensioning-member to flex the upper portion of the same forwardly when the recoil-abutment means of the said barrel-unit is engaged with the recoil-abutment means of the said stock.

' 7. A takedown firearm comprising: a stockunit formed with a vertical passage and provided with recoil-abutment means; a tensioning-lixture unit mounted in the said stock-unit adjacent the rear end of the said passage therein and comprising a fixture-member having a substantiallyvertical tubular sleeve and a head-portion rigid therewith and extending substantially horizontally, a head-plate located adjacent the end of the tubular sleeve of the said iiXture-member opposite its said rigid head-portion, and a substantially-vertical tensioning-pin having screwthreads adjacent one end-portion passing through the said head-plate and threaded into the sleeve of the said fixture-member, the said tensioningin having its opposite end-portion flexible and projecting outwardly beyond the head-portion of Vthe said fixture-member; and a barrel-unit having recoil-abutment means engaging with the vrecoil-abutment means of the said stock-unit and fitting within the passage in the latter, the said barrel-unit having a forwardly-facing couplingabutment located adjacent its rear end and engaging with the flexible end-portion of the said tensioning-pin to ex the same forwardlyl when the recoil-abutment means of the said barrelunit is engaged with the recoil-abutment means of the said stock-unit.

8. A takedown firearm comprising: a stockunit formed with a vertical passage and provided with recoil-abutment means; a tensioning-"ixture unit mounted in the said stock-unit adjacent the rear end of the said passage therein and comprising a fixture-member having a substantiallyhorizontal head-portion at its upper end and a substantially-vertical tubular sleeve rigidly depending from the said head-portion, a headplate located adjacent the lower end of the tubuiar sleeve of the said fixture-member, and a substantially vertical tensioning pin having an externally-threaded lower portion extending through the said head-plate and threaded into the lower portion of the sleeve of the said xturemember, the said tensioning-pin having a lexible upper portion projecting upwardly beyond the head-portion of the said .fixture-member; and a barrel-unit havingV recoil-abutment means engaging with the recoil-abutment means of the said stock-unit and fitting within the passage in the latter, the said barrel-unit having a forwardly-facing coupling-abutment located in its upper rear portion and engaging with the flexible upper portion of the said tensioning-pin to ex the same forwardly when the recoil-abutment means of the said barrel-unit is engaged with the recoil-abutment means of the said stock-unit.

9. A takedown firearm comprising: a stockunit formed with a vertical passage and provided with recoil-abutment means therein; a tensioning-fixture unit mounted in the said stock-unit adjacent the rear end of the said passage therein and comprising a fixture-member having a substantially-vertical tubular sleeve and a headportion rigid therewith and extending substantially horizontally, a head-plate located adjacent the end of the tubular sleeve of the said fixturemember opposite its said rigid head-portion, and a substantially-vertical tensioning-pin having screw-threads adjacent one end-portion passing through the said head-plate and threaded into the sleeve of the said fixture-member, the said tensioning-pin having its opposite end-portion flexible and projecting outwardly beyond the head-portion of the said fixture-member; and a barrel-unit comprising a receiver, a barrel projecting forwardly from the said receiver and a trigger-plate coupled to the underside of the said receiver at -a point substantially midway of the length of the said trigger-plate, the said receiver having a rear portion having wedging engagement with the upper surface of the said tensioningxture unit and thev said trigger-plate unit having a rear portion having wedging engagement with the lower surface of the said tensioningxture unit, the said trigger-plate having recoilabutment means engaging with the recoil-abutment means of the said stock-unit, the said receiver having a forwardly-facing coupling-abutment located adjacent its rear end and engaging with the exible end-portion of the said tensioning-pin to flex the same forwardly when the recoil-abutment means of the said trigger-plate is engaged with the recoil-abutment means in the vertical passage of the said stock-unit.

10. A takedown rearm comprising: a stockunit formed with a vertical passage and provided with recoil-abutment means; a tensioning-fixture unit mounted in the said stock-unit adjacent the rear end of the said passage therein and comprising a fixture-member having a substantiallyhorizontal head-portion at its upper end and a substantially-vertical tubular sleeve rigidly depending from the said head-portion, a head-plate located adjacent the lower end of the tubular sleeve of the said fixture-member, and a substantially-vertical tensioning-pin having an externally-threaded lower portion extending through the said head-plate and threaded into the lower portion of the sleeve of the said xturemember, the said tensioning-pin having a flexible upper portion projecting upwardly beyond the head-portion of the said fixture-member; and a barrel-unit comprising a receiver, a barrel projecting forwardly from the said receiver, and a trigger-plate coupled substantially midway of its length to the underside of the said receiver and having recoil-abutment means engaging with the recoil-abutment means in the passage in the said stock-unit, the said trigger-plate having a ilexible lower rear-portion having wedging engagement with the under surface of the head-plate of the said tensioning-fixture unit, the said receiver having at its rear a portion having wedging engagement with the upper surface of the headportion of the said xture-member and also having in its rear portion a forwardly-facing coupling-abutment engagingv with the flexible upper portion of the said tensioning-pin to ex the same forwardly when the recoil-abutment means of the said trigger-plate is engaged with the recoilabutment means in the vertical passage of the said stock-unit.

11. A takedown firearm comprising: a stockunit formed with a vertical passage therein, the said stock-unit being provided adjacent the upper rear portion of its said vertical passage with an upwardly-facing wedging-surface and adjacent its lower rear portion with a downwardlyfacing wedging-surface; a barrel-unit fitting into the passage in the said stock-unit and comprising a receiver, a barrel projecting forwardly from the said receiver, and a trigger-plate coupled substantially midway of its length to the underside of the said receiver, the said trigger-plate having a rear portion having wedging engagement with the downwardly-facing wedging-surface of the said stock-unit, the said receiver having a rear portion having wedging engagement with the upwardly-facing wedging-surface of the said stock-unit; and yielding-means elastically drawing the said barrel-unit rearwardly with respect to the said stock-unit.

DAVID M. WILLIAMS. 

